Monday, June 29, 2015

I love bird baths and have quite a collection of them. Someone is always giving away their bird baths and they always pawn them off on me. In my backyard you will find 3 of them set up as a traditional bath for the birdies to enjoy. However, I have several others spread out around our property and use them as flower planters too!

The one shown in my photo today is on the smaller side. It is a 2-piece bird bath that was in terrible unfinished condition when I got it. I gave it a good scrubbing with bleach and water. I then headed over to Lowe's and purchased 2 cans of textured outdoor spray paint in a granite type of finish. I choose a natural shade so that it would blend in with all of my other outdoor decor.

Once I was back home I sprayed a coat of paint on each piece. I left it dry overnight. The following day...I sprayed a second coat. When spray painting you want to not stand too close to the item you are spraying or you will get drip & run marks. The objective is light and even coats!!!

After all pieces were dry we moved it onto one of our covered patios. It has a nice flat bottom (the bowl portion) and we decided to sit a flower basket inside it. When entertaining...we can keep the flowers in it for a decorative piece or remove the flower basket and use it as a small side table.

If your bird bath doesn't have a flat bottom...then toss some gravel and stones into the bottom before pouring in your dirt or potting soil. You can directly plant flowers into it if you prefer doing it this way but make sure you have at least 2" of stone & gravel in the bottom to allow water to drain.

Another tip...I didn't add a clear sealer after I painted our bird bath because it is kept on a patio that has a roof. It is not sitting out in the yard in all kinds of weather elements. If you are going to keep yours outside and unprotected, I do suggest that you add a coat or two of clear sealant. Enjoy!

Friday, June 26, 2015

I love this time of the year with all of the backyard barbecues, family picnics and summer parties that seem to be going on almost every weekend. It's nice to get together with family and friends...relax and have a good time! Today's cocktail recipe is courtesy of: Limoncello di Capri.

Limoncello di Capri’s story began at the start of the 20th century when Vincenza Canale, a hotelier on the island of Capri, was the first to offer limoncello, derived from the Caprian word “limonillo,” to her guests. Her descendants formed Limoncello di Capri S.r.L. in 1988 continuing the old family tradition and becoming the first company to patent and use the “Limoncello” name now used by many other brands. In 1999, the Molinari family, famous for creating the Sambuca category, became a shareholder in “Limoncello di Capri, SrL.”

Today, Limoncello di Capri is the #1 selling Limoncello in bars and restaurants in Italy (Source: Nielsen). Produced in small batches using only IGP certified lemons grown on the Island of Capri and in the Sorrento Peninsula, Limoncello di Capri is one of the few brands of Limoncello produced using only real lemons. The lemons are hand-picked then peeled and naturally infused over a four to six day period to create a naturally infused spirit without the addition of coloring, preservatives or additives. Limoncello di Capri is the only limoncello producer that controls the entire production process including farming, distillation and bottling, ensuring quality control from start to finish.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

The USDA's Dietary Guidelines recommend children and adults eat anywhere from 5 to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day… that’s a whole lot of salad! But, this doesn’t mean your diet has to be bland and boring!

Saturday, June 20, 2015

To celebrate real and simple food, Top Chef judge and celebrity culinary expert Gail Simmons created this recipe that is simple to make and will enhance your spring and summer dining. Recipe makes 2 servings.

Heat a grill pan to medium high heat and brush with canola oil. Add quartered grapefruit, flesh side down, and grill until well charred, 2–3 minutes per cut side. Remove from grill and allow to cool.

Juice grapefruit, straining seeds and reserving one juiced wedge. In a cocktail shaker, muddle together charred grapefruit juice and cilantro. Add Sweet Tea and plenty of ice and shake until well chilled.

Rub the rim of two rocks glasses with the reserved grapefruit wedge. Spread the smoked salt on a plate and swirl the rims of each glass through the salt to coat. Add ice to glasses.

Strain the grapefruit/tea mixture into the glasses. Garnish each with a few cilantro leaves and serve immediately.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

I love salsa...all kinds of different salsas! I love using it as a traditional dip but I also love using it as a condiment when I make tacos, burritos, enchiladas, omelets, burgers, hot dogs, etc. Yup, that's right...I love me a good homemade salsa! How do you enjoy salsa?

For this healthy twist on a Cinco de Mayo favorite, all you have to do is combine all of the above ingredients, and chill it in your refrigerator for about one hour. Pair with a bag of low fat corn chips or veggies, and you are ready to start snacking!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Imagine suffering chronic pain – say, in the form of headaches or migraines.

Happily, you’ve found a solution to the problem. It has been several months of losing focus, sleep and general interest in the things you used to like. You went to a doctor and he told you an NTI device, which addresses jowl clenching during sleep, will offer immediate relief. Or maybe your family doctor gave you a pain-relief prescription for your headaches.

“As doctors, we like to have answers for our patient’s problems, but misdiagnosis is one of our biggest problems in this country when it comes to chronic pain,” says Dr. Fred Abeles, author of the book “Break Away: The New Method for Treating Chronic Headaches, Migraines and TMJ Without Medication”.

“We’re the ‘microwave’ generation and we like our problems to be solved immediately. Our medical profession has responded and is always geared for quick fixes. In reality, treating only the symptoms, and not the root cause, can worsen your problem.”

For one, too many of us ignore the basics of good health, Abeles says.

“A huge volume of health problems would be eliminated if only people learned more about nutrition, modified their diets and got regular exercise each week,” he says. “Cardio three times a week and some strength training – along with a reasonably healthy diet – would help millions tremendously.”

There are many doctors you may see to help with your headache pain, he says, such as ENTs, dentists, neurologists, chiropractors, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) specialists and many more. Ask questions. If a dentist suggests realigning your jaw, for example, you’ll want to make sure a thorough physiological work-up and diagnosis has been completed first. Be discerning. Be informed.

“Most doctors really want to help, but sometimes they’re wrong,” he says. “You have to be your own best health advocate.”

Abeles offers what he calls his The H.E.A.L. Formula™.

• HELP yourself – take control of your outcome. Don’t accept chronic pain as a life sentence and stop taking pills to mask symptoms. When you improve your health, the lives of those around you improve also. There’s more love, happiness and fun for everyone.

• EVERYTHING is connected. The teeth. The joints. The tendons. The ligaments. The jaw. The head. The neck. The muscles. They all have to work together in harmony to not produce pain.

• ALIGN the jaw. Align the bite. When everything is aligned, the muscles are happy. And happy muscles do not create pain.

• LEARN about and utilize the new methods for successfully treating chronic headaches, migraines and TMJ without medication.

“The best time to address your chronic pain and what’s behind it is the first time you experience it,” Abeles says. “But if you’ve endured many months or years of pain – perhaps masking it with prescription drugs – then the second best time to uncover the cause is right now.”

About Dr. Fred Abeles: Dr. Fred Abeles is known as one of the most sought after TMJ experts in the United States (www.FredAbeles.com). He’s famous for getting results where others have failed and getting those results without the use of surgery, needles or drugs. He is author of the new book “Break Away: The New Method for Treating Chronic Headaches, Migraines and TMJ Without Medication.” Abeles is the Clinical Instructor and Regional Director for the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies – one of the most prestigious post-graduate teaching centers in the world today. Dr. Abeles has been featured on NBC and CBS, consults with leading dental manufacturers on the development of new dental products, been on the cover of the profession’s biggest magazines and instructed dentists throughout the United States and Canada on state-of-the-art techniques for treating headaches and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

One of my favorite late springtime flowers happens to be the beautiful purple bearded iris. Although I love the other colors and varieties that I grow in my flower garden...this one is my absolute favorite when it comes to the Iris.

I had always thought that they were hard to grow but my great auntie taught me differently. They are one of the easiest flowers to grow and they bring a lot of color to your backyard garden. I personally have dark purple, light purple, peach, white and yellow ones growing here on my property.

My great auntie told me years ago that the older generation calls the Iris...Flags. I am not sure why because they certainly don't look like Flags to me! Furthermore, I am not sure why they refer to them as "bearded" either. Strange names some of our flowers get!

Here in south central Pennsylvania my Iris typically bloom the #2 and #3 weeks during the month of May. If we had a mild winter and get an early spring then we will see them blooming the first week in the month. On average, mine will bloom for 7 to 10 days.

A few weeks ago I shared some photos with all of you and some easy Iris growing gardening tips. You can refer to that blog post if you need to learn more about growing them in your own backyard garden.

Today, I just wanted to share a few more photographs with all of you of my Purple Bearded Iris that I didn't feature in my last flower gardening blog post. They are just so pretty and I am going to miss them until I see them again next year.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

From Dollar Amount To The Intangibles, M.D. Says Condition Is A Ubiquitous Factor In Life

Image: FreeImages.com

Sometimes celebrities or otherwise physically fit people will put on a fat suit and document their experience with a video camera, usually to be aired on a daytime talk show. The overall impression is universal: Being severely overweight is taxing on almost every level, says Dr. Eleazar Kadile, who specializes in treating patients with obesity and associated chronic disease.

“Physically, emotionally, mentally and even spiritually, being obese is an ever-present condition to the experience my clients face every day,” says Dr. Kadile, director of the Center for Integrative Medicine and author of “Stop Dying Fat” (www.kppmd.com).

“Obesity is a vicious cycle that usually starts with bad eating habits during childhood. Childhood obesity has quadrupled in recent decades. I don’t think enough of us appreciate how established bad habits are before most obese people reach adulthood.”

Overweight or obese people often eat for comfort when they’re depressed or as a reward when things are going well, “much like an alcoholic,” says Dr. Kadile.

Like substance abusers, obese people pay a significant price.

• Bigger is costlier. Many are emotional eaters, and when you eat for emotional satisfaction rather than physical satiation, you eat more, which increases the dollars spent. Obese people often have to buy clothes specially tailored for their size, which adds costs. The biggest cost, however, is healthcare due to bad health. Obesity has severely taxed our country’s healthcare costs.

• What’s your self-esteem worth? Being a large individual often proves challenging in public, as daytime talk shows sometimes attest. Obesity can keep you from social engagements and make you feel self-conscious while out and about. This can lead to depression and lack of activity, fueling the vicious cycle of the obese lifestyle.

• Time – arguably the most important metric. What do we really have in life? Money, work, love, relationships and material goods – these are all good and necessary things. But they are all for not if your health does not permit you to live long enough to enjoy them.

• Opportunities, quality of life and happiness are compromised. You can be the most qualified professional at work, but obesity can cost you a raise. You may be a funny, intelligent and attractive person, but being too big might keep you from finding love. Simply having 100 or 200 pounds of extra fat is a burden obese people cannot escape throughout their waking existence.

“As a society, we should be more compassionate toward obese individuals – they have it hard enough without our critical judgment,” Dr. Kadile says. “If you are obese, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to save on the associated tangible and intangible costs. If you don’t take action today, it can cost you many days from your future that you’d otherwise have.”

About Eleazar Kadile, M.D.

Dr. Eleazar Kadile is a complementary physician who specializes in treating patients with obesity, who may suffer from heart disease, hypertension, type-2 diabetes, arthritis, depression or ADHD. With decades of medical experience throughout the United States, he has been developing a comprehensive and systematic approach to battling obesity. He is the director of the Center for Integrative Medicine in Green Bay, Wis. (www.kppmd.com).

Monday, June 8, 2015

Although it's not officially the start of summer for another few weeks the temperatures are already heating up across the nation. Here in the northeast...we have had several days already with temps high in the 80's and massive humidity laid on top.

In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and eggs with an electric mixer until thick, about 3 minutes. Set aside. Pour milk into a small saucepan, and bring to a simmer over low heat. Gradually drizzle the hot milk into the eggs while whisking vigorously. Then pour the whole mixture into the saucepan.

Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Do not boil. Remove from heat, and whisk in peanut butter. Allow to cool slightly, then whisk in the sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream and vanilla beans.. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fold in beach plum jelly when mixture is still soft, then transfer to a container, and freeze until solid.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Celebrate Summer with Christina Milian's Viva Diva Wine's Tequila Sunrise Ice-Pops. What better way to bring in the summer season then with deliciously sweet, alcoholic ice-pops that are perfect for any outdoor party or special treat. The bubbly flavorful moscato blended with the frozen pineapple and tequila is the perfect combination to cool you down and make your taste buds go wild.

Combine and stir Viva Diva Moscato Pineapple & Coconut, pineapple juice, pureed pineapple, and tequila. Fill popsicle wells 3/4 way up with pineapple mixture. Pour 1 teaspoon of grenadine into each well. Place popsicle stick into the center of each mold and let sit over night.

Viva Diva Wines will also be featured on the 2nd Season of Christina Milian Turned Up on E! The brand is under ownership of celebrity actress/singer Christina Milian, Mother/Manager Carmen Milian and Publicist Robyn Santiago. For more information on Viva Diva Wines, you can visit their website at www.VivaDivaWines.com.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Delight the special moms in your life with these scrumptious vegan Fluffy Pistachio Chewy Bite Cinnamon Rolls. Created by Jenny Engel and Heather Goldberg of Spork Foods, this dish is perfect by itself or as part of a brunch menu.

When rolls are in dish, brush with more melted non-dairy butter. Cover and let rise until rolls are almost doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350° and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

To make frosting, whisk powdered sugar, almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt together until mixture is smooth. Drizzle over cinnamon rolls when they have cooled.

About the Chefs: L.A.-based sisters and celebrity chefs, Heather Goldberg and Jenny Engel of Spork Foods are vegan chefs that own a Los Angeles-based gourmet cooking school. The culinary duo are also cookbook authors and work with some of Hollywood’s elite including Emily and Zooey Deschanel, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, Kristin Bauer van Straten and Alicia Silverstone.

Monday, June 1, 2015

“Turbo Fast” Season One is Coming to DVD on June 2nd, 2015. Here is some additional information about the release (tomorrow is release day)!!!!

Start your engines...and rev up the fun! From DreamWorks Animation, creators of the hit movie Turbo, comes the high-speed animated series that takes comedy, action and excitement to the extreme. Join the world’s fastest snail and his Fast Action Stunt Team as they put their elite skills to the test against all-new opponents on and off the track. It’s a Turbo-charged collection of heart-racing thrills!

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is the industry leading worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox produced, acquired and third party partner film and television programming. Each year TCFHE expands its award-winning global product portfolio with the introduction of new entertainment content through established and emerging formats including DVD, Blu-ray™ and Digital HD™. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox.